Biltongs, drywors, boerewors among most popular South African foods sold in London, research shows

Nevin Barich

LONDON , April 26, 2012 (press release) – South-African-Hotels research reveals the top 10 foods most missed by South African expats living in London. Out of ten top products, three were of Dutch origin. By comparison, when British citizens living abroad were asked what they missed, they stated products of purely English origin.

According to HCR, the items most missed by UK expats are all British in heritage, including Cadbury's Dairy Milk, Bisto Gravy and HP Sauce.

Ryan Mackie from South African Hotels explains, "Migratory circuits connecting South Africa, UK and Europe have long been active. It's therefore not surprising that three of the foods that came up in our top ten list were of Dutch origin - Biltong, Drywors and Boerewors. It's interesting to see the long-term impact the Dutch have had on South Africa's current-day culture."

South African Hotels focused the majority of their research on London, as it is estimated that half of the 140,000 South Africans living in the UK, live and work in the capital city.

They interviewed the owners of South African food stores in the UK to find out what foods they sell most, as well as consulting expats through email, phone and Facebook.

"Without doubt a great way to experience the diversity of cultures in South Africa is through the local food, often referred to as the Rainbow Cuisine," Mackie continues. "This is a description that developed from the term 'Rainbow Nation' coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to describe post-apartheid South Africa."

To view the graphic go to: http://www.south-african-hotels.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/What-SA-Miss-Most.jpg

To read more about the research and graphic visit: http://www.south-african-hotels.com/blog/2012/04/expat-food-graphic.html

The top ten products revealed in the survey were (in order of popularity):

* Biltong
Biltong is a cured meat which originates from South Africa. The word biltong comes from the Dutch bil.
* Drywors
Often referred to as droëwors in Afrikaans, this product is related both in name and in nature to the Dutch droge worst. Droëwors does not contain curing like those found in a traditional cured sausage.
* Boerewors
Boerewors is based on an older traditional Dutch sausage. It is made from coarsely minced beef, sometimes combined with minced pork and lamb as well as spices.
* Sparletta Creme Soda
Sparletta is very similar in taste to the UK and American versions of cream soda, however the produce in South Africa is bright green in colour.
* Simba Nik Naks
Nik Naks are corn-based crisps (or chips) that come in a variety of flavours.
* Mrs Balls Chutney
Mrs Balls is a brand of chutney with roots firmly planted in South African heritage. It is eaten with many South African meals.
* Peppermint Crisp
Peppermint Crisp is a milk chocolate bar filled with thin cylinders of mint-flavoured toffee, invented in South Africa by Wilson-Rowntree. It is common for children to bite off both ends of the bar and use the series of mint tubes as a straw to drink milk.
* Ouma Rusks
Ouma is South Africa's best-known brand of rusks -a traditional South African snack that is dipped in coffee or tea before being eaten.
* Maize meal
Locally referred to as mielie or mielie pap, maize meal is a staple food in South Africa. It is mixed with hot water and stirred until a porridge-like mash is created, often served with tomato sauce and meat.
* Tennis Biscuits
These square coconut biscuits, made with real golden syrup, coconut and butter, are apparently South Africa's favourite biscuit.

Notes to Editors

The shops interviewed in the study were: Kalahari Moon, http://www.biltongstmarcus.co.uk, Taste of South Africa, Biltong2u Ltd and South African Foods.

Link to HCR study: http://www.hcr.co.uk/?page=BlogandNews&article=145

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